HMCS Quadra

I have been a course and staff cadet at HMCS Quadra. I had fun each and every summer I attended there. I will focus on my time as a staff cadet for this review. For one, your room and board is free of charge the entire time you are there, and your day off each week is paid. You are paid a day rate which works out to less than minimum wage, but all and all you essentially walk away with your paycheque at the end of the summer cause you have no expenses while you are there. My officers were great for the most part, and course cadets respected me. I made a lot of friends that summer and many of which I still talk to today. You can’t go wrong working here.

Every day for 9 weeks I woke up at 6 and started at 7 and ended at 6pm.  Throughout the day I lead a group to fix / clean stuff around the base for a total of 9 weeks and getting paid $83/ day. There were some occasions where I would have to get up 2am and work until 4pm do to new arrivals coming / going. My co- workers worked hard under rain or shine and the officers were easy going (to an extent) which helped the moral of the group. All the constant moving and having to move a lot of stuff became physically tiring after 5 weeks, but my team and I gave it our all to keep on track of when things needed to be done. That made it more enjoyable, people that can keep their chins up and keep going regardless of the job and the weather.

A typical work day included lots of cleaning, serving the cadets. I worked the morning shift so I started at 5am and worked till 2pm. It was hard work but a good community. The management could have used some adjustments. Most of the supervisors were unfair between employees and were quite often sexist about what jobs the different sexes could do. I learned that efficiency was a must and one of the biggest part of the job. We were given many jobs to do on a tight time line.since we needed to get everything done before meal times. Before each meal we would be setting up the line and prepping food alongside the cooks, after meal time we'd be  cleaning the hall and lines and working in the dish pit, and then start all over again

- A typical day at work was working as a team to clean all the bathrooms, bedrooms, hallways, windows, and stairwells.
- In this job i learned team work and how to work efficiently in a fast paced environment.  
- The management was professional, welcoming, and happily answered any questions i had
-  My co-workers were friendly and easy to work with
- The hardest part of the job was the long hours and working in the hot weather
- The most enjoyable part of the job was working with my co-workers, they made everyday fun even when scrubbing toilets wasn't

Prep-cooking experience was taught on the job. A typical day revolved around prepping food for meal making. This required a fast and steady hand, as well as being able to stand for pretty much all the time without it being an issue. Food safety had to be followed at all times, and your environment had to be kept clean at all times. 

Got to meet people from all walks of life. Most enjoyable part of the job was doing the work. Though predictable, it was fast paced, and very enjoyable.

While i worked at HMCS Quadra, I was able to pick up many skills there as a cook, a hard worker and a team player. My experience working there was irreplaceable. The hardest part of the job was getting out where lots of people were to help others with spills. My most enjoyable part of the job was being able to work with many different types of people who like and specialize in different things and are passionate about their work, like i was.

As a staff cadet, I worked in Operations which involves basic security work involving rounds of the base as well as customer service skills. I was most well adapted to front desk work, making the phone and cadet leave logs. It is a fun but stressful job especially during outtake and exhaust. 

HMCS Quadra is a Tri-Service training centre for the Royal Canadian Cadets. You are required to be in the cadet program to work there. It has fairly strict guidelines as Cadets is a para-military organization. The workday starts at 6 am and ends at 10 pm for most jobs. with breaks for meals and 1-2 paid days off a week.

HMCS Quadra employs youth from age 16-18 for 7-8 weeks of intense work. The hours are intense, starting at 0600 and working until 2000 (on call as late as 2200). The Job entails the supervision, care, and training of cadets aged 12-18. Positions vary in time demand, pay is by rank.

Productive and fun workplace by the beach, with a private lounge for staff cadets. No time for myself, fast-paced environment keeping me active 24/7. Lots of sailing!

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